Mr Howlin said the Migrant Council of Ireland had estimated that there are between 20,000 and 26,000 undocumented immigrants in Ireland and between 2,000 and 6,000 of these are children.

“Is there not an absolute imperative for us to practice what we preach and address the situation of those within our own State who are undocumented?” the Labour leader asked the Dáil.

Replying for the Government, Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald, said the Government remains determined to help find a remedy for undocumented Irish immigrants in the US. The Taoiseach had already spoken with President Trump and he was stressing the Irish undocumented people’s plight.

Ms Fitzgerald added that she was working with the Migrant Council of Ireland and hoped people could regularise their position.